The Master’s charity for the upcoming Cordwainer year is The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers already have strong links through both William Marsden, the founder of The Royal Marsden, and his son Alexander, both of whom served as Master of the Company.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is inextricably linked to the hospital, as it helps thousands of people, and their families cope with the ordeal of fighting cancer every year. Various fundraising activities throughout the year help fund important medical research as well as implementing groundbreaking technology. This marvellous charity has the royal seal of approval as HRH the Duke of Cambridge is the President of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, following in his mother’s footsteps. This helps to highlight the extraordinary work in providing patients with the very best in cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and care at the hospital’s sites in Chelsea and Sutton. 

In order to play our part in raising funds for this fantastic charity, we are planning to participate in two events this Cordwainer year, both of which we are hoping for your support through sponsorship, participation and cheering on those taking part. The first event, which comes rather early in the year, is the Great River Race on Saturday 3^rd September. We have been lucky enough to enter four boats in this river marathon which runs from London Docklands up to Ham in Surrey, some 21 miles in length, thanks to the generous backing of four Cordwainer families. Each boat will have 6 crew members; 4 rowers, 1 passenger and 1 cox, all of whom will have had to put in many hours of practice, including a “dry” run on the River. We are hoping for good weather, a strong tailwind, and loads of Cordwainer support on the day. Every bridge offering a viewpoint and there will still be enough time to beat the rowers to the finish to join in the celebrations!  

This is followed by the Master and the Senior Warden taking part in the "Livery Halls Walk" around the city of London on Thursday 15th September 2016. 

The final participation event is the Marsden March held in the Spring of 2017. This is one for all the family from grandparents down to little children, as there are two distances to choose from, either the 14 mile option, or the shorter 5 mile option, both of which finish at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. Further details about this event, and how you can all join in, will follow later in the year.

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